8 Simple Meals pt. 1

This is for all ya'll who don't like to cook! Eight simple, quick ideas to get delicious food in your bellies. Here's the first four. Enjoy!

1. Smoothies
I tend to constantly have bananas peeled and frozen in my freezer along with other yummy frozen fruits (mangoes, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries...). This comes in handy for days when I just don't feel like taking the time to prepare a big meal. Frozen bananas add the creamy texture to your smoothies so I always use them as a base and with the fruit being frozen you don't have to worry about adding ice. Throw in your bananas and whatever other fruit you'd like then blend it with some liquid so that it reaches the desired consistency. I like to avoid dairy so the liquids I use are either just plain water, orange juice, almond milk, or coconut water (sooo good!). Feel free to drink it just like that or spice it up with some maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, dates, etc. Get creative!

If I'm going to enjoy this as a substitute for dinner or lunch I usually add something more fatty and sustaining so that it satisfies me such as any nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew...) or an avocado. Yummmmmy. Best part of this is that I usually make a huge batch then put them in 12 or 24 oz glass jars and freeze them for later meals. Easy, peezy, lemon squeezy!

2. Five-Second Guacamole
This can be as simple or as complex as you'd like. Let's start with the simplest way to make this. Take an avocado (use more for a larger dish) and some salsa. Smash your avocado with a fork, mix in your salsa with some sea salt to taste and serve... tah dah! Delish!

Now, lets talk about something. I know I've said before and I'll say it again and again. If you're eating food that is packaged in any way please read the ingredient labels. I only want to make sure that everything I ingest is actually food and not some chemical additive. Salsa can be tricky, but more and more pure salsas are available. If you can't find a pure one in the ethnic foods section try the natural food section. And if it absolutely impossible to find a pure salsa (gulp) throw it into your soul food category and forget everything I just said and enjoy every single bite! :)
Now, for those of you that are craving something more complex try adding any of the following to taste: Cayenne pepper, garlic powder, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, lime or lemon juice, black beans, corn, etc. You know what I say... be creative! Have fun with your food :) *Storage tip: add citrus (lemon or lime) and keep the avocado pit in your guacamole until it's ready to serve.

3. Snack Time :)
Lots of people have a hard time feeling satisfied if they're just eating fruits, veggies, and nuts, but I think that it can be done. Snacks are a great way to get a meal in, especially if time is tight. I snack for meals a lot when I'm working as a Massage Therapist because I only have so much time in between clients. The trick is to make sure that you're getting enough nutrients and calories so that you feel satisfied. Nuts and seeds are great and so are avocados. Grab some carrots and a couple of bananas and you're all set.

4. Rice cakes - a glorious invention
Rice cakes are healthy and gluten-free, which are great for anyone who is sensitive to gluten. They can be used in a variety of ways and make a great quick meal. Here are some of the ways I make meals out of rice cakes:

• Spread on goat cheese and top with alfalfa sprouts, onion, tomato, and avocado
• Spread on cashew, almond, or peanut butter and top with apples or bananas
• Spread on hummus (remember to check the ingredients to make sure it's pure) and top with spinach and cucumbers
• Use it as a cracker to enjoy your favorite dips (salsa, guacamole, hummus...)
• Be creative and enjoy!! :)

All right guys! Hope you enjoy these meal ideas... four more simple meals are coming your way soon.